Two Latina Jefas Debunk Misconceptions About Women in Cleaning Services

Blue collar work has historically been dominated by male workers, but in recent years, more women have been entering these fields. Blue collar female workers may face unique challenges, including gender bias, physical strain, and work-family balance. It’s crucial to highlight the often underrepresented, but highly important role of women in blue collar jobs. Blue collar refers to a type of work that typically involves manual labor and is often performed in a factory, warehouse, or other industrial settings. 

Women in blue collar jobs are often overlooked or talked down to in the service industry. LATV Latina spoke to Coco Salas and María Santana who are two Latina bosses who own successful cleaning empires. They debunk misconceptions often experienced!

Women in the Cleaning Community 

Latina women make up a significant portion of the cleaning community, particularly in industries such as housekeeping and janitorial services. These jobs often have a very low barrier of entry which is why immigrants are often attracted to them. That being said, they still face systemic barriers such as racism, sexism and language barriers. Blue collar jobs are notorious for being physically labor intensive, thus risking workers health much more. Working as a maid or janitor is no exception to that since these people are on their feet for sometimes 10 hours a day and getting in awkward positions to clean. To put this into perspective we all know of an office worker or a student who has back issues from sitting most of the day. Well what about the women standing and bending over to clean stuff for so many hours five days a week? They are not superhuman, their bodies ache too and probably worse than most. The sad truth is that often these women are not given healthcare or paid time-off to rest their bodies. By supporting and valuing the contributions of Latina women in the cleaning community, we can create more just and equitable workplaces and communities for all.

Women in this industry hold a major responsibility. They are often responsible for maintaining clean and safe environments in public spaces, schools, hospitals, and other essential settings. In addition, a clean environment is associated with better well-being. Women in the cleaning community bring valuable skills and expertise to their work, such as attention to detail, problem-solving, and a commitment to customer service. They work tirelessly behind the scenes, ensuring that public spaces remain clean, healthy, and welcoming for all. Despite the importance of their work, women in the cleaning community often face low pay, long hours, and physically demanding work. However, they can still make a living and support a family with these jobs. Realistically these are jobs that are always going to be needed. They are secure jobs that provide an irreplaceable value to society and to individuals.

The Importance of Representation 

Increasing the representation of women in blue collar work can help to promote gender equality and create more diverse and inclusive workplaces. It is important for employers to provide support and resources for female blue collar workers, such as flexible schedules, mentorship programs, and opportunities for career advancement. By supporting the success of female blue collar workers, we can build stronger and more resilient communities and workplaces for all.

Check out more stories from LATV’s Women’s History Campaign ‘Mujeres In Charge.’